Month: January 2015
29-01-2015
The EU Commission withdrew EN 1384 as an acceptable Standard at the end of 2014. Being well aware that the BHA recently insisted that every jockey must update Skull Caps, they have agreed that for the purpose of on-going compliance with the requirements of Rule Schedule (D)2, the existing (BS or CSN) EN 1384:2012 Standard will remain an acceptable Standard until 31st December 2016. Please therefore note the amended Schedule:
Schedule (D)2 – Equipment
PART 1
Skull caps and safety vests
Design of skull cap
1. A skull cap is approved by the Authority if it meets (BS) EN 1384: 2012*, PAS 015: 2011 or (CSN) EN 1384: 2012*.
2. The skull cap must not have a chin cup, cradle or draw lace.
3. The chin strap must pass under the jaw and be attached to the harness by a quick release buckle.
4. The skull cap must not have metal hooks.
* (BS) EN 1384: 2912 and (CSN) EN 1384: 2012 will be removed as acceptable standards on and after 1 January 2017.
Fitting of skull cap
5.1 The skull cap must be of the correct size for the Rider and must be correctly fitted and fastened.
5.2 The face harness must be correctly adjusted and the chin strap fastened at all times when the Rider is mounted on a horse.
Design of safety vests
6. A safety vest must conform to (BS) EN 13158: 2000 (level 1 only)*, (BS) EN 13158: 2009 or (CSN) EN 13158: 2009.
7. A safety vest must not be
7.1 modified in any way, or
7.2 attached to the horse or any equipment carried by the horse.
*see ‘Forthcoming Rule Changes’ on 3 November 2014 for further change effective from 1 April 2015.
28-01-2015
Excellent to see not only the winning partnership of Alice Mills and Monkerty Tunkerty on the front page of today’s Racing Post but also Monday’s Ludlow winning jockey Rob Hawker wearing the winning red and white quartered colours too!
26-01-2015
It was a busy day today for amateurs with races both at Ludlow and Wolverhampton. Many congratulations to Robert Hawker who enjoyed success at Ludlow in the largest field of the day, with 17 runners in the AJA Amateur Riders Handicap Hurdle. Defying top weight on ASCENDANT for Johnny Farrelly, they won going way much to the delight of owner Alan Clegg who was visiting the course for the first time from his home in Plymouth.
Not so lucky was Brodie Hampson who sustained a broken collar bone when her horse ARISTOCRACY fell at the third last when still well on contention. Get well soon Brodie!
Meanwhile over at Wolverhampton 2014 Epsom Gentlemen’s Derby winning jockey Ross Birkett landed the 6f handicap on WATERLOO DOCK who was running for the first time on Tapeta. All did not go to plan with front running tactics in mind as the horse reared when the stalls opened, but Ross kept the horse wide and enjoyed a game win. This was a great send off for Ross who leaves Newmarket for Australia in a week to work for Gai Waterhouse in Sydney where he will be riding 12 lots a morning. The 3-month trip was won by Ross under the Alex Scott scholarship scheme and will keep him in great shape before returning to the UK in May.
Picture credits: AJA
19-01-2015
Amateur riders are being offered advice from former professional jockeys as part of the British Horseracing Authority’s Jockey Coaching Programme (JCP).
A series of workshops run by former professional jockeys are being put together. While initially set up to benefit conditional and apprentice jockeys, the BHA has recognised the importance of including amateur and point-to-point riders. An increasing number of young people – many having ridden in pony races – are now spending a season or two as amateurs before turning professional.
Gill Greeves, the BHA’s vocational training manager, says: “The very successful BHA Jockey Coaching Programme is growing from strength to strength with the recent launch of Regional Coaching Workshops. For an introductory period we are pleased to invite amateur riders to join this exciting new initiative – receiving expert tuition and advice from professional coaches can only benefit them, and I am sure amateur riders will gain by attending one of these workshops.”
The workshops will review and enhance technical and tactical skills, discuss fitness and nutrition and evaluate race-riding skills. A fee of £10 will apply.
Two dates for the JCP workshops:
27 January: British Racing School, Newmarket, (6 – 9pm) with Michael Tebbutt
5 February: Northern Racing College, Doncaster, (4 – 7pm) with Tom O’Ryan.
Riders should contact Jennie Durrans on 01638 665103 or e-mail jennie@brs.org.uk.
15-01-2015
Many congratulations to Alice Mills, who enjoyed an unforgettable victory today and the biggest win of her career when partnering MONKERTY TUNKERTY for owner-trainer Jess Westwood in the Somerset National at Wincanton.
Riding with supreme patience, Alice held her horse up until creeping into the picture and taking up the lead two from home. Monkerty Tunkerty stayed on well to draw clear from the last and be pushed out to win effortlessly by 10 lengths.
This was a particularly impressive performance considering how the 12-year-old horse sustained a career threatening cut to his leg in this same race last year. He was lovingly nursed back to health by devoted Jess Westwood, herself an ex-amateur jockey whose riding career was cruelly cut short by a serious head injury sustained in a point-to-point fall 3 years ago.
Alice said: “Today I just let him travel within himself and he pulled his way to the front. Once he found his stride he was fabulous. Jess has done a brilliant job to bring him back so well after almost a year off. She gets her horses straight and knows Monkerty inside out; she was confident he still had it.”
07-01-2015
Aly Deniel wins for GB in Australia February 2014
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Thanks to the generous support of Lara Sawaya, Executive Director of the HH Sheikh Mansoor Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Global Arabian Horse Flat Racing Festival, 2015 offers another exciting year of Arabian racing around the world which is open to lady jockeys who are able to ride at 9 stone and have ridden at least 5 winners either on the Flat, over Jumps, Arab racing or a combination of these.
The year begins in OMAN on 16th January when JODIE HUGHES will represent GB. 10 days later the series moves to Sportingbet Park, MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA where ex-amateur ANNA HESKETH will fly the Union Jack. A further 12 races make up the 2015 calendar as follows:
February tbc Manama, Bahrain
22nd February St Moritz, Switzerland (professional jockeys only)
8th March Texas, USA
11th April Casa Anfa, Morocco
17th April Toulouse, France
9th May Lingfield, UK
31st May Warsaw, Poland
6th June Stockholm, Sweden
28th June Dundight, Netherlands
6th July Pleasanton, USA
17th August Ostend, Belgium
8th November Abu Dhabi Finale
If YOU would like to represent Great Britain in this incredible ladies Arabian world series then please contact the AJA. All flights and accommodation are paid for by our generous hosts and we are most grateful to Lara Sawaya for all of her hard work and continuing support.
01-01-2015
As from 1st January 2015, the cost of AJA annual membership (which gives a full 12 months cover from whatever date you join) will rise from £90 pa to £100 pa. AJA membership automatically insures its members for riding out anywhere worldwide.
AJA membership cost represents fantastic value for money, being available to anyone under 70 years of age, regardless of whether or not they are a licensed jockey.
Please note that cover is for temporary disability only, and there is no cover for permanent disability, third party or death. Benefit is for £150 to be paid after the first 35 days incapacitated for up to a maximum of 52 weeks.
